[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ACCESS PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Kennedy) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 20th 
anniversary of the Arab-American Community Center for Economic and 
Social Services of WNY. ACCESS was founded to promote understanding and 
foster bonds of friendship between Arab Americans and people of all 
faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, recognizing the critical 
importance of dialogue and understanding.
  Over the past 20 years, ACCESS has connected individuals with legal 
services, financial assistance, healthcare, and employment 
opportunities. It provides our young people, who often face uncertain 
and challenging circumstances, with the mentorship and programs 
required to enrich their lives and set them on a path of success for 
the future.
  In addition, ACCESS is committed to aiding immigrants as they pursue 
their dream of citizenship, helping them navigate the application 
process financially, culturally, and linguistically. For refugees 
fleeing persecution, poverty, and violence, ACCESS offers programs that 
help people and families begin new lives, acclimate to life in the 
United States, and thrive.
  I thank Executive Director Talib Abdullah and the leadership of the 
board for their extraordinary efforts meeting our community's needs and 
making western New York a more welcoming and connected home for all.
  Our community and Nation look forward to their continued success and 
congratulate them.


                          Sickle Cell Disease

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the passage of 
the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, 
Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act.
  I am proud to support this critical legislation to reauthorize 
Federal efforts to research, prevent, and treat sickle cell disease 
through 2028.
  Sickle cell disease is an inherited genetic blood condition affecting 
approximately 100,000 Americans and a million people around the world.
  As a clinical nurse specialist caring for sickle cell patients, my 
own mother knew firsthand the hardships stemming from this terrible 
disease, including pain, anemia, infections, and stroke, as well as 
kidney, liver, and heart disease.
  For those with sickle cell, life expectancy is 20 years shorter than 
the average.
  We have more to do, especially as this disease disproportionately 
impacts Black and Latino people who are already facing health 
inequities.
  To put it in perspective, in my home State of New York, one in every 
365 Black babies is born with sickle cell disease.
  During Sickle Cell Awareness Month this September, the legislation 
passed in the House will honor the resilience of those affected by this 
disease, advance important research to improve treatment options, and 
help ensure equitable access to care for all patients. The time to act 
is now.


                     Combating Alzheimer's Disease

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the passage of two 
bipartisan bills that will continue our Nation's commitment to 
researching, treating, and ultimately curing Alzheimer's disease that 
has caused so much heartbreak and pain across the country.
  Families are enduring the profound emotional, physical, and financial 
toll of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Nearly 7 million Americans 
currently live with Alzheimer's, but their burden is not theirs alone. 
Each of those individuals have families and communities that are 
impacted. In fact, the Alzheimer's Association estimates that 11 
million Americans provide unpaid support to patients every year, 
accounting for more than 18 billion hours of care.

  This disease impacts families in every State, city, neighborhood, and 
of all races, incomes, and religions. My own family has felt the pain 
of Alzheimer's, as my grandmother suffered for years with this 
debilitating disease. I watched as my family provided 24-hour care for 
her in her home until the time that she passed.
  It is critical that we make Federal investments to research and 
address Alzheimer's disease and provide resources for the patients and 
families who are impacted. The bipartisan legislation to extend and 
strengthen the National Alzheimer's Project and to develop the Advisory 
Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services will go a long way 
to combat this terrible disease.
  I thank the advocates who have volunteered their time caring for 
loved ones, fighting for research funding, and for always keeping faith 
for future generations that will hopefully not have to feel the grief 
of watching a loved one slowly slip away.


                       Remembering Mark Mortenson

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mark 
Mortenson, who passed on September 14 and whose life work always 
brought beauty and wonder to so many lives in western New York.
  After taking on his most recent role as president and CEO of Buffalo 
and Erie County Botanical Gardens in 2022, Mark was ready to take on a 
new multimillion dollar expansion to fulfill its mission to change the 
region.
  His life will always be remembered in western New York. Our prayers 
are for his loved ones that he left behind: his husband, Curt Maranto; 
and his children, Nicolas, Kiara, Mikey, Elliott, Emily, and the late 
Clayton, who will always be remembered.
  He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

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